Stewart Crameri’s influence in the Western Bulldogs forward line will not be judged solely on scoreboard contributions but rather how his presence can lift his teammates, according to Matthew Boyd.

Whether it is providing support for Liam Jones at a marking contest, guidance on running patterns or attracting one of the opposition’s best defenders, Crameri’s addition will have an immediate effect.

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“Stew is going really well, he has slotted into the group really nicely,” Boyd said.

“We are not expecting Stew to come out and kick five or six goals a game but what we do expect from him is to make the guys around him better.

“He certainly is doing that with the standards he sets at training.”

Another on field leader who is expected to make more of an impact for the Bulldogs in 2014 is Shaun Higgins, who completed his first competitive training session yesterday since a foot injury put an end to his season in round three last year.

Boyd said the 25-year-old will bolster the Bulldogs in attack and that just having Higgins on the field is a boost for the entire team.

“He was here at 7 o’clock in his full kit, so ready to go,” he said.

“He was jumping out of his skin, it has been obviously a long delay for him to get back out on the track.

“We are just really excited – all the boys actually got a lift seeing Shaun out there, because he is such a great guy to have around the footy Club.

“We know how talented he is, but for him to be able to join in at this stage of the pre-season is fantastic for the morale of the whole place.”

While Higgins’ exact return date is still to be determined, his 109-games experience will be a welcome addition to the side, with his goal-sense and silky skills.